Dharma Is A Many-splendoured Thing

Part 1 of 6

What is dharma? Dharma means that which holds the individual, family, society, country, -- in sum, the whole world, together. Where there is dharma, there can be no conflict. For dharma enables a way of life that enables peace and harmony, truth and justice. When the path of dharma is abandoned, you find yourself following adharma, which is just the opposite.

Part 2 of 6

Dharma has various aspects to it. One is brahmacharya or celibacy. Second, satya, truth. When you speak untruth or are dishonest in your actions, it will hurt you, your family, society and country. Untruthfulness is adharma that could disturb the whole world. Misguiding people, getting involved in scams and cheating are all acts of adharma.

The third limb of dharma is tapasya, when you withdraw your senses from all objects of sensual pleasure. While performing penance, do you inflict injury on anybody in this world? We are all doing all kinds of sins for sense gratification. Tapasya helps you to stay in control.

Part 3 of 6

The fourth characteristic of dharma is charity. Whatever you earn, if you use only for self and do not give to anyone else including family members, this is adharma. Without parents would one survive in this world? Everyone is indebted to them. They have right over your income. If one does not give them any money then it is adharma. Every adharma has a reaction. One takes help of other human beings and the natural world. They are giving us so much. We must pay them back. If we are not giving anything, then it is adharma. One must give charity or contribute in some way. Dharma cannot bring violence, it brings only peace. Sinful acts and reactions are due to adharma.

Part 4 of 6

The fifth constituent of dharma is niyam -- this means following a regulated life. If you do not observe regulation of body, you might become vulnerable to disease. You may have many more difficulties. Regulation of mind, institutions and society is required. Discipline is necessary. This is dharma. One follows rules for enhancement of body, mind and intellect, as per examples and teachings of experienced guides. Does following regulation harm anybody?

Part 5 of 6

The sixth aspect of dharma is forgiveness, so necessary to live harmoniously in a family, society or country. Anybody could make mistakes knowingly or unknowingly. You need to forgive for otherwise, you cannot remain in society; nothing can be rectified where there is no forgiveness. Anyone can commit a mistake. We need to understand, tolerate and reform.

The seventh feature of dharma is non-violence. If you inflict injury on another, there is bound to be a reaction. For every action there is reaction. Do not use any force, there will be reaction. Violence of any kind ignites more violence.

Part 6 of 6

Eighth, is tranquility of mind. If the mind is disturbed, you cannot take a proper decision. Any decision is proper when taken with a calm mind. People are always thinking of worldly matters and are always disturbed. Whenever we get angry, we get disturbed and are likely to disturb and harm others. Whenever we meditate on the most tranquil entity, the Supreme Force, our mind becomes tranquilised, calm and serene, and then we can take right decision.

The ninth limb of dharma is austerity. All these aspects of dharma, will this do harm to any one? Unlikely. If at all, following dharma would improve quality of life. The highest dharma is to love all. The writer at is president acharya, All India Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math.